Interview with Hamish Clark of Saint Clair Family Estate @SaintClairWine

A conversation with the winemaker.

Thoroughly enjoyed interviewing Hamish Clark today, senior winemaker for Saint Clair Family Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand.

A tremendous New Zealand wine tasting and two fun winemaker conversations. We began the October podcast with a long-distance call to Marlborough, New Zealand to speak with Hamish Clark, Senior Winemaker for Saint Clair Family Estate. Hamish shared with us why Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is so special and many details on growing grapes and making wine on the South Island.

*Show Link: Listen to the show.

Tasting Notes Saint Clair Family Estate 2012 Sauvignon Blanc:

Color: Shiny straw.
Nose: At opening aromas leaped out of the glass, big blast of passion fruit, grapefruit, barnyard floor, grassy, salinity, mineral.
Palate: Fresh, creamy, saline, kiwi, grapefruit skin, with passion fruit into the finish. Wow! This wine had it going on.

Paired this white wine with Brisling Sardines on bed of spinach tossed with sardine oil from the can of sardines, black pepper, chopped garlic and onion on toasted whole wheat bread. Tasty companion, a little slippery and messy, but delicious.

After 3 hours: More savory on the nose with grapefruit, grass and fresh chive, passion fruit and barnyard floor faded to background elements. Palate savory with herbal characteristics, spice, grass with lime and grapefruit peel on the finish, bright top palate. A certain ocean breeze character to this wine, enjoyable. Think brussel sprouts, asparagus, artichoke and mixed green salad accompanied by herb roasted chicken. 30 minutes later I was thinking this wine was at a "drink me now" stage.

Day two: Aromatic with passion fruit and grapefruit. Grapefruit and brightness stood out, nice crisp finish of tart, zippy, white grapefruit. Big like. Drink alone or pair with fish tacos. Strongly recommended.

Country: New Zealand
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screw cap
Price: $20
Sample provided by Winesellers Ltd.

Saint Clair Family Estate Cellar Door & Café
Corner of Rapaura & Selmes Roads
Blenheim, Marlborough, NZ
Email: cellardoor@saintclair.co.nz
Phone: 03 570 5280
www.saintclair.co.nz

*Update: I am now co-hosting a monthly wine podcast on Minstrel and Muse Audio Art Magazine - we call it "Wine Muse World Tour" with host Linda Reznicek.

I don't know when I will have more New Zealand wine reviews to post, hope soon, but thanks for stopping by and remember to drink New Zealand Wine!

Cheers!

- William Pollard Jr.